This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.On September 18, 2016, about 1118 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped experimental amateur built (EAB) Hoover Arnold AR-6, N616DH, struck a tailwheel equipped EAB Reberry 3M1C1R, N913FT, during takeoff roll on runway 8 at the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the AR-6 was not injured and the airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the 3M1C1R, sustained minor injuries. The AR-6 was registered to the pilot and was operating as Race 11. The 3M1C1R was registered to Hot Stuff Air Racing LLC., Kissimmee, Florida, and was operated as Race 1. Both airplanes were operated by the pilots under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an air race flight, which were originating at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either airplane.The pilot of Race 11 reported that he was positioned in the middle of the back row of the staggered start sequence for the Formula 1 Race. When the green flag dropped he initiated his takeoff roll and that as the tail of his airplane came up, he observed Race 1 stationary on the runway at his 12'oclock position. He swerved in an attempt to avoid the airplane, however, subsequently collided with Race 1.The pilot of Race 1 reported that he was in the number four position (middle row, center) in the starting grid, which was the middle inside position with three aircraft ahead of him in the front row, one airplane to his right, and three airplanes behind his position. The pilot reported that about 20 seconds before the green flag dropped, the engine was not running correctly and he shut it down and signaled the starters to halt the start/takeoff process. Shortly after, Race 11 struck Race 1.Postaccident examination of Race 1 revealed that the upper portion of the rudder and vertical stabilizer were separated. Multiple propeller slash marks were observed on the right wing, which was partially separated from the fuselage.Examination of Race 11 revealed that the left wing was structurally damaged and the left main landing gear structure was compressed upward through the wing structure.